Diploma Supplement (DS)

The purpose of the Diploma Supplement (DS) is to ensure that acquired knowledge and ability will be transparent and readily understood in the context of mobility. The Berlin Communiqué stated that, as of 2005, all graduating students should receive this document automatically, free of charge and in a widely used European language. By 2006-2007, the DS was specifically referred to in legislation and issued by higher education institutions in the majority of signatory countries.

Although the DS was initially introduced without legislation in several countries, most of them have recently made it mandatory. By 2006/07, the DS should be issued in all institutions and for all study programs in over half of the countries concerned, in accordance with legislation or official documents. This document contains information about how and when different signatory countries are implementing the Diploma Supplement.